The Bachelor

Following Monday's season finale of Bachelor Pad, won by Dave Good and Natalie Getz, host-pimp Chris Harrison dished on the next star of The Bachelor. He is ...

TBA!

"We are starting production soon, and we're going to need somebody," Chris said, noting that the long-running show is still looking for Jake Pavelka's successor.

Chris Lambton fell for Ali. Will others have a chance to fall for him?

"If you know any good bachelors out there, let me know," Harrison added, while saying he remains open to bringing back an unnamed former Bachelorette star.

Reading between the lines, it's clear ABC wants Chris Lambton, who Ali Fedotowsky rejected on The Bachelorette finale and got engaged to Roberto Martinez.

It's also becoming clear that Chris will likely pass if he hasn't already.

Should Chris Lambton be The Bachelor? To 87 percent of fans (according to THG's survey) who watched him on The Bachelorette, there's no question.

The Cape Codder won the hearts of millions falling just short in pursuit of Ali Fedotowsky. If ever there were a lock for the next Bachelor, it'd be Chris.

If he wants it, that is. Reportedly he does not.

"All of our best Bachelors have been hesitant at first," says a source cited by E! Online, who says Chris told the producers of the ABC show he'll pass.

Rather than a starring role with the tables turned, Chris Lambton wants to resume "normal life." A reality star wanting to avoid the spotlight? Novel.

It's not over yet, though: The Bachelor powers that be are still wooing Chris Lambton, in hopes of changing his mind and guaranteeing record ratings for next season.

"The producers really want Chris to be the guy," says a source with knowledge of the situation. "They're hoping to convince him. This definitely isn't dead yet."

And an ABC insider adds that it's "too soon" to determine who will, or won't, be the next Bachelor, or who would star instead of Chris if he sticks to his guns.

It's worth noting that Ali Fedotowsky bailed on The Bachelor to return to her actual life, only to pull a 180 and take The Bachelorette gig shortly thereafter.

Her exit from Jake Pavelka's season reeked of a stunt, though. Chris L. genuinely seems like the type who might actually turn down such an opportunity.

What do you think? Should Chris Lambton be The Bachelor?

Cape Cod Chris. The nice, handsome 33-year-old who moved home from NYC to Dennis, Mass., to be with his ailing mother won over millions on The Bachelorette.

Unfortunately, someone else won Ali Fedotowsky over more.

Suffice it to say, while we have nothing against Ali's fiance, Chris Lambton would have been a good choice too, and a graceful exit Monday only boosted his stock.

With the possible exception of Jason Mesnick, there's never been a more popular runner-up. We guarantee a starring role on The Bachelor is his if he so chooses.

We can't see the show selecting Jake Pavelka as its star had there been interest from Kiptyn Locke ... or Reid Rosenthal. But this season, it's Chris and only Chris.

Chris and Ali hit it off in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez seem to have found genuine love and happiness on the ABC franchise. Should Chris take a shot at doing the same? Vote:

Should Chris Lambton be the next star of The Bachelor?

He came in third on season nine of American Idol.

But Casey James might wanna finish first in the heart of a reality show contestant, he admits, recently expressing an interest in The Bachelor.

After everyone's favorite host/pimp, Chris Harrison, ran into James at a party last month, he told the singer that he'd perfect for the ABC series. Responded James to OK! Weekly:

“I’ll try anything once. I’m always up for a new experience.”

Plenty of room under these arms, ladies!

James is busy with the American Idol tour right now, but you can imagine his reaction when pitched the idea of 25 women competing for his attention: “Oh, God, that sounds horrible!” he joked, adding: “Sign me up!”

When Casey first auditioned for the Fox competition, Kara DioGuardi openly swooned over him and made James take off his shirt. He's been considered a singing stud ever since.

If James doesn't take on the role, the next Bachelor will likely be one of Ali's castoffs from this season: Chris, Roberto, Kirk or Frank.  Either way, desperate women will sign up for the show and ABC producers will script every event that takes place on it.

Do you think James should be the next Bachelor?

Last night's episode of The Bachelorette was essentially scaled back to an hour and 15 minutes to make room for the Jake Pavelka-Vienna Girardi smackdown.

This left us with two thoughts: 1. This could easily be a one-hour show every week, and 2. This interview was likely the greatest 45 minutes in show history.

There were so many ridiculous comments made and insults traded, The Hollywood Gossip has devoted a separate Bachelorette recap to their joint interview.

Our traditional Bachelorette rundown will follow shortly. Now, for the blow-by-blow of the much-hyped reunion that followed the Breakup of the Century ...

Introducing the segment on a somber note, venerable host-pimp Chris Harrison pretends not to be ecstatic this fell in ABC's lap. What a great job. Plus 8.

Jake comes out to tell "his side" first. Jerry Springer-esque. Minus 4, if only because a screaming audience and/or chairs thrown would have enhanced this.

Oh, if you have this on DVR, have one person do a shot every time she says "fame whore" and another take one every time he says "undermined." Plus 10.

After Jake Pavelka says he was "blindsided" by the split, Vienna Girardi alleges "emotional abuse." Hard to tell who's lying more in the early going. Minus 3.

Jake seems genuinely surprised, even now, that Vienna is trashy and not that smart. Plus 4, because 10 million viewers knew this on his season's premiere.

We've never been big fans, per se, but when Jake starts being all condescending about text messages, her family, her dog, etc., we feel bad for V. Minus 7.

Vienna, on Jake complaining that she remeasured their room: "I never picked up a tape measure. I never picked up a tape measure in my life." Plus 12.

For whatever reason, they bleep out Gregory Michael's name, even though Vienna's alleged cheating with Gregory Michael was widely reported. Minus 18.

That story about Jake throwing the GPS into the back seat was pathetic and disturbing, but Minus only 5, because you know how guys are about directions.

Chris: "We don't really care about the dog." LOLOLOLOL. Plus 10.

Asked by Chris what they loved about each other, Jake says Vienna "challenged him." Plus 14, because he definitely just became "the biggest fake liar ever."

Jake: "I believe there is more to relationships than sex and intimacy." Like updating one's Twitter and going on as many reality shows as possible. Minus 9.

Near tears and vehemently denying Jake's accusations of her "flings with other men," Vienna asks Chris if she can take a "poly-o-graph" test. Plus 1,000.

How the HELL has Chris kept a straight face for a HALF HOUR? Plus 7.

When she interrupts Jake, in the midst of apologizing no less, he raises his hand in rage (not quite making a fist, but close) and berates her. Minus 250.

As she storms off in tears, Jake just shakes his head condescendingly. "There she goes again." How would these two EVER work as a couple?! Minus 40.

Minus 200 more, because as entertaining as this was, these morons both need to go away forever now ... and we have a strong suspicion they won't.

Wow. We always knew Jake was an uptight stiff, but we didn't peg him for a misogynistic a$$hole. We can't believe we're saying this, but ... Team Vienna?

TOTAL: +534.

Whose side are you on?

The Bachelor star Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi, who received his final rose just months ago, have broken up. This is shocking, as they seemed perfect together.

NOTE: The second sentence above is not true at all.

Many viewers of The Bachelor groaned when Jake picked Vienna on the season finale, given the rumors about Vienna's past and her personality ... in general.

Looks like the 84 percent of you who said he should've picked Tenley Molzahn and the 80 percent of you who said he and Vienna wouldn't last are vindicated!

Rumors about Vienna Girardi - partying, drugs, secret boyfriends, marriages, betrayal, topless modeling and plastic surgery - surfaced throughout the season.

She was bad news and we all knew it. Just not Jake.

A FAIRY TALE MOMENT: And a very short engagement.

Now 2-for-19 in producing marriages (Ali Fedotowsky's rumored choice is discussed at length in The Bachelorette spoilers here), it's another blow for the franchise.

You knew it was coming this time, though.

Jake Pavelka did his best to defend her, and his decision to marry her, but just over three months later, something apparently went terribly wrong between them.

What specifically happened, we don't know.

“Jake and Vienna have split,” says Janice Lee, a rep for the commercial pilot and professional airhead. “They appreciate the respect for their privacy at this time.”

No reason was given. After Pavelka was eliminated from Dancing With the Stars in late April, he spoke spending time with Girardi to "focus on our relationship."

Guess it was only then that he took some time to pause, reflect, look back on the last few months and realize that he was engaged to freaking Vienna Girardi.

I'm totally on ...

Some of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette cast members from seasons past are ready to compete for fame and money on TV - only out in the open this time!

Looking for love on a dating show. Vying for $250,000 on a reality TV competition. It was only a matter of time until someone combined these concepts.

ABC's The Bachelor / The Bachelorette series Bachelor Pad brings together a group of heavyweights to compete in team and individual challenges for money.

Calling them "All-Stars" may be a bit of a stretch, seeing how early some were eliminated by their season's star. Then again, the whole thing is a stretch.

Memorable faces rejected by Jake Pavelka, Jillian Harris and Ali Fedotowsky just this year will be leading the way, with a handful of peeps from past years too.

Wes, Crazy Dave, Crazy Michelle, Jesse Sulidis (who apparently plays a role this season, according to The Bachelorette spoilers) and sweet Tenley are back.

So many others, too. Remember Kiptyn and Jesse from Jillian's season? They seemed like such good guys. Apparently Reid was not available to join in?

Heating up the house one more time will be ...

A little over a year after being dumped by Jason Mesnick on the "After the Final Rose" special, Melissa Rycroft is heading back to The Bachelor mansion.

Not to find love this time - she's happily married to Tye Strickland, in fact - but to co-host Bachelor Pad, ABC's new spin-off featuring past contestants.

We kid not, this is a real show.

Joining Melissa Rycroft for co-MC'ing duties will be a man who needs no introduction, venerable Bachelor and Bachelorette host-pimp Chris Harrison.

“I’m excited.” Rycroft says. “It’s fun. It’s a brand new experience for me. I’ve never been on that side but I’m anxious. I’m excited and ready to start.”

The gorgeous Melissa Rycroft made the finals of Dancing with the Stars and has been a correspondent for Good Morning America since her Bachelor appearance.

The show, which has already started filming, will feature an all-star reunion of “some of the most unforgettable contestants and suitors,” says ABC.

Two words, ABC: Wes. Hayden. Make it happen.

The gang will live together in the mansion as they compete in a series of challenges and dates for a chance at winning $250,000 and perhaps more.

Could another shot at love await any of these hotties? ABC couldn't care less, as long as it has a Bachelor franchise installment for every season now.

Works for us! We heart Melissa! On a related note, check out THG's recap of The Bachelorette for a humorous take on Monday night's debauchery.

The Bachelorette star Ali Fedotowsky, whose season premiered last night, says she's no longer feuding with nemesis Vienna Girardi. All together now ... Phew.

Chris Harrison, the show's pimp-in-chief, confirmed the hatchet burying at Dancing With the Stars (which aired right after The Bachelorette season premiere).

The two ladies, who famously clashed on The Bachelor while in competition for Jake Pavelka, even "hugged each other and, said 'Hi,'" back stage at the taping.

"That's one of the ways Ali has grown as a person," Chris said.

What, by not being a completely catty b!tch? Great job, Ali!

The Bachelorette star Ali, left, and The Bachelor winner Vienna ... yeah.

Back in the day, Ali Fedotowsky would call out Vienna Girardi for, among other things, bragging that she'd "shake her boobs in Jake's face," but not any longer.

"[Ali] regretted some of that," Harrison added. "I get it. Look, in the heat of the moment, on the show, you say some things, you regret certain things, there are things you look back and might not do and that was one of them. She apologized for that."

Fedotowsky is "so happy for Jake," Harrison went on about the new star. "She realizes now that it wasn't meant to be, she wasn't supposed to be with Jake."

Harrison said he thinks Vienna Girardi got a bad rap as the villain on the show, and that anyone writing her off is presumptuous. Can't we all just get along?

Apparently we can/ Jake Pavelka even posted a pic on Facebook of him, his fiancee and Ali. Oh, how times change (click here to be THG's Facebook friend).

Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney became the first couple from The Bachelor to walk down the aisle February 27. ABC aired a two-hour special about it last night.

In keeping with our tradition, THG endured the two-freaking-hour extravaganza to recap every bit of the action in our exclusive, highly scientific plus/minus index:

Updates on past stars: Trista and Ryan are going strong; Ed Swiderski and Jillian Harris are doing well; A bunch of peeps we don't remember are there too. Plus 5.

DeAnna Pappas, who Jason once proposed to, is dating Stephen Stagliano, ... the twin of Michael Stagliano from Jillian's season. This is just incestuous. Minus 3.

The stirring Chris Harrison commentary begins with the venerable host-pimp calling this "one of the most anticipated weddings of all time." Of all time! Plus 11.

The Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney nuptials took place in the driving rain. Minus 4 for missed Alanis Morissette "Ironic" musical tie-in ... okay, maybe Plus 4.

Not even a monsoon could dampen the spirits of Jason and Molly.

In all seriousness, the event was quite romantic. Jason Castro's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was a nice touch, and the setting made for great wedding photos. Plus 10.

Molly's dress gets an additional Plus 7 too. Look how beautiful she is.

By the end of the ceremony, they are totally soaked, but Jason and Molly don't seem to care one bit. Those Bachelor hot tub scenes prepared them so well. Plus 4.

Minus 9 for Chris' "Jason and Molly weathered the storm" eye-roller. Do they sit around thinking these up, or is the master of ceremonies that good on the fly?

Gavin DeGraw performs "Follow Through." Fitting. Wonder if Jason and Molly had heard of Gavin DeGraw prior to ABC setting this up? Either way, Plus 3. Good song!

It was a fairy tale moment ... engineered by Mike Fleiss.

The Bachelor is not about love. It is all about ratings. That being said, genuine feelings definitely came out of Jason and Molly's season, and the wedding special did a nice job of showcasing them as a couple in addition to the obligatory filler. Plus 11.

The franchise is still 2-for-19 though. 2-for-19! Minus 10.

Jason and Molly now embark on a South African safari honeymoon, which sounds like an absolute blast, provided Chris is cool crashing on the couch. Plus 7.

Odds of Jake Pavelka and Vienna Girardi taking part in a similar wedding special next season ... or any season? Somewhere around 500:1. Minus 12, Jake.

TOTAL: +24. Congratulations to a happy couple we wish all the best to!